Frequently Asked Questions

For which positions are you hiring?

Due to an ambitious growth plan, Uncommon Schools is hiring for a wide variety of positions for the next few years. We are looking for general education and special education teachers, school leaders, school-based support staff, and Home Office staff. We have teaching positions for grades Kindergarten to 12th grade, for both new and experienced teachers.

Do you have specific GPA requirements?

By the time that employment begins, candidates must have received a Bachelor’s degree from a College or University. For teaching roles in New York and Massachusetts, candidates must have also earned a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher by the time employment begins. For teaching roles in New Jersey, the candidates must have earned a cumulative 2.75 GPA (for candidates graduating before September 1, 2016) or 3.0 (for candidates graduating on or after September 1, 2016).

Do I need a specific major or credential?

We accept all majors to any teaching position, though for certification purposes, secondary teachers often need to have majored in the content area in which they intend to teach. Teaching certificates are not necessary to apply; once you are hired, you will work with your school’s Director of Operations to ensure you are enrolled in any necessary certification programs.

Do you have any Masters or credentialing partners?

In February, 2011, in a historic move, the New York State Board of Regents chartered Relay School of Education (RSE) as the first, new, independent, master’s degree-granting graduate institution of its kind. RSE grows out of Teacher U, the ground-breaking program that has operated in partnership with Hunter College and through which hundreds of New York City charter and district school teachers have earned master’s degrees by demonstrating that they have led their students to meaningful achievement gains. At RSE, the Teacher U program will be able to achieve its true vision and fullest expression as a pioneer in the preparation of the next generation of teachers, especially those who are committed to preparing their low-income students for success in college and life. All Uncommon teachers have the opportunity to apply to RSE.

What professional development do you offer?

All teachers—new and returning—receive 3-5 weeks of professional development over the summer before scholars’ school years begin. Most teachers are observed weekly (or more frequently, as needed) by their instructional leaders. Teachers receive additional support from Grade Level Chairs, Lead Teachers, Special Education Coordinators, Deans of Students, and Directors of Curriculum and Instruction (or, in elementary schools, Directors of Professional Development). In many schools, teachers receive a half-day of professional development each week. Professional goals and action plans are made collaboratively between teachers and their instructional leaders. Here's a video example of one of our PD sessions in action.

Does Uncommon pay a regular salary?

There are many elements that factor into teacher pay scale, from number of credits taken in a content area to graduate level coursework to number of years teaching. Uncommon Schools typically offers a competitive pay scale in the local Department of Education. For example, here is the NYC DOE pay scale.

Is there a contract agreement for multiple years?

All individuals (including the CEO and COO of Uncommon) join the organization on a one year contract, which can be renewed based on mid-year and end of year evaluations.

After completing a resume review, we may reach out to you via email for a phone interview. After the initial phone interview, we pass along your information to the direct hiring manager, who lets us know next steps. Sometimes this is an in-person interview, or another phone interview. All teacher candidates are asked to teach a sample lesson at an Uncommon school.

Uncommon has schools in six different regions. How will my placement be determined?

Placement is determined by your preferences. You can indicate your preferences in the online application. Additionally, during a phone interview, you can express your placement preference to a recruiter.

Are non-U.S. citizens eligible to apply for a role with Uncommon Schools?

No. We are not able to sponsor work visas for candidates not authorized to work in the U.S.